Cause to Cause Having a superior arsenal and an overwhelming number of troops is not enough. Strength and ability will not be sufficient – without a reason to wield the weapons and apply the power. This is being proven out in our world today as one of the mightiest militaries is stymied by resistance from what should have been a much inferior foe. It’s when warriors are given a cause that they are caused to overcome and triumph. The proclaiming of a cause by a charismatic and convincing leader of a people desperate to defend themselves has garnered the moral and arms support of nations around the world. Much like David against Goliath, they’ve been able to stand up against a great bully for a survival purpose much bigger than just rebellion. The rallying around this message has formed a barrier of the will that has activated something the much larger invader has not yet been able to overcome. When the reason why is effectively magnified, the resolve and resources to prevail can become unstoppable. There is a need in these days of flaunted wickedness for unifying around a cause much bigger than personal needs. As David called out his brothers and their fellow soldiers in asking if they didn’t have a cause, so there is a need for at least a few that get revelation of God’s revealed glory to rise up and resist the giants that bellow out senseless challenges. Rather than looking at the inadequacy of self as if alone, those who take up the cause of Christ do so in conjunction and collaboration with fellow body members. Together they form an army with a God-given cause that will be unmoved by threats that might individually overwhelm. God will cause those who make their why to be glorifying Him in all they do to be more than overcomers. He’ll cause them to triumph in the celebration of His purpose. Notes Cause – Connecting the noun to the verb Noun - The reason/greater purpose for a course of action Verb – Activated power and resources to fulfill a reason** A God cause: Eternal life for all. Presentation of self for the salvation of many. A God cause is carried out by its servants. A servant lays down their own cause for the one served. The greater the cause, the greater the sacrifice/reward. David’s revelation of a greater cause enabled God’s causing 1 Samuel 17:26 26 Then David spoke to the men who stood by him, saying, “What shall be done for the man who kills this Philistine and takes away the reproach from Israel? For who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?” 1 Samuel 17:32 32 Then David said to Saul, “Let no man's heart fail because of him; your servant will go and fight with this Philistine.” There was a cause in Israel – that the world would know that the Lord is God 1 Kings 8:59-61 59 And may these words of mine, with which I have made supplication before the LORD, be near the LORD our God day and night, that He may maintain the cause of His servant and the cause of His people Israel, as each day may require, 60 that all the peoples of the earth may know that the LORD is God; there is no other. 61 Let your heart therefore be loyal to the LORD our God, to walk in His statutes and keep His commandments, as at this day." Jesus’ critical choice of His cause John 12:27 27 "Now My soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save Me from this hour’? But for this purpose I came to this hour. Jesus’ cause – to witness unto the truth John 18:37 37 Pilate therefore said to Him, “Are You a king then?” Jesus answered, "You say rightly that I am a king. For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice." God will keep what is committed to Him for His purpose. 2 Timothy 1:12 12 For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day. A cause has a window – garden moment Esther 4:14 14 If you keep quiet at a time like this, deliverance and relief for the Jews will arise from some other place, but you and your relatives will die. Who knows if perhaps you were made queen for just such a time as this?” Where there’s a reason, there’s an effective answer to why 1 Peter 3:15 15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; It’s not on us alone, but living in Him instills His cause and the power to fulfill it. Philippians 2:13 13 For God is at work within you, helping you want to obey him, and then helping you do what he wants. In our pressing is God’s empowering of much higher purpose and calling. Philippians 3:14 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Overview: It’s the cause/reason that enables conquering a giant. For every great cause there are servants to fulfill it. The servant sacrifices personal for the served. The greater the cause, the greater the potential sacrifice. God will cause/empower/provide for the servants of His cause. There is a window to the opportunity in a God cause. The reward of a God commitment far exceeds any personal one. Prayer: Father, I come to You boldly now because of so many who have served Your cause before me. Fill my heart now with revelation of my cause in Yours as I commit myself as a living sacrifice to You. I am willing now to fulfill what you call me to for a cause that will benefit so many more than just me. Declarations: As a result of God’s great cause for salvation, the sacrifices of so many have brought eternal life to me. In receiving my new life in Christ, I’ve received His heart and nature in a call to His cause. For the incredible reward of this purpose, there is an opportunity for great sacrifice to serve it. I am empowered to endure, overcome, and demonstrate God’s power as He causes me to triumph in His purpose. There will be a great reward for me in what I commit/sacrifice in serving the heart of my Father.